Kirinyaga County has posted one of its strongest economic performances in recent years, with its Gross Domestic Product rising from Sh114.9 billion in 2017 to Sh190.79 billion in 2024. Governor Anne Waiguru, in her State of the County Address, attributed the steady growth to deliberate investments in agro-industrial development, improved infrastructure, and policies that attract and retain investors. With an economic expansion rate now standing at 5.4 percent—higher than the national average—the county is positioning itself as a regional hub for rural enterprise, manufacturing and value addition.
Governor Waiguru highlighted key milestones that have reshaped Kirinyaga’s economic landscape, including the emergence of new rice and flour mills, fish hatcheries, eco-tourism facilities and value-addition centres. These developments, she said, have created thousands of jobs and boosted local household incomes, helping lower the county’s poverty rate from 23 percent to 21 percent. Major infrastructure upgrades have also played a crucial role: over 118,000 square metres of cabro have been laid across seven towns, more than 7,000 kilometres of roads have been graded, and public land previously grabbed—over 800 acres—has been repossessed to support future developments. The county has further invested in improved healthcare, operationalising new facilities, expanding the Kerugoya referral hospital and introducing specialised services previously unavailable locally.
Looking ahead, Governor Waiguru said Kirinyaga is on the brink of a major economic transformation driven by the upcoming Sagana Industrial City, which will house an Export Processing Zone, a Special Economic Zone, an affordable housing project and a sports complex. The facility is expected to create more than 10,000 direct and 170,000 indirect jobs once operational, with 63 investors already expressing interest. The county is also strengthening basic services through enhanced waste management, expanded firefighting capacity, and digitised revenue collection via the Kiri-pay system. With increasing investor confidence and ongoing infrastructure modernisation, Kirinyaga is positioning itself for sustained growth, improved livelihoods and expanded market access in the years ahead.